Santa Caterina Market

If you’re by the cathedral, you may catch glimpses of a curving, colourful roof across the busy Via Laietana. That’s the Santa Caterina Market, a must-visit for serious foodies. This market may not be as famous as the Boqueria, but that actually works in its favour – it’s not nearly as crowded.

The market dates back to 1845, and it’s the first-ever covered food market in Barcelona. After the Spanish Civil War when there were food shortages, people from nearby towns took the tram to get here to find much-needed food supplies. It was refurbished in 2005, and the bright mosaic roof was added on top for a modern touch. It gets its name from the Convent of Santa Caterina, which used to occupy the space the market is built on.

Today, the market houses a mix of traditional food stalls and sleek modern restaurants, both with a huge variety of delicious offerings. Santa Caterina Market is open from 7:30am onwards from Monday to Saturday. Closing times vary by day. On Mondays, it closes at 2pm. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, it’s open until 3:30pm On Thursdays and Fridays, it stays open until 8:30pm. And if you are something of a foodie then we also suggest you check out these gastronomic activities available in the city